Five days of surfing, swimming, volleyball, and bodysurfing competitions take over Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach starting Wednesday, July 29, when the 63rd International Surf Festival opens with the Los Angeles County Fire Department Lifeguard Medal of Valor dinner at King Harbor Yacht Club in Redondo Beach.
The festival runs through Sunday, August 2. All events are free to watch.
Founded in 1962 to unify what had been competing beach festivals in each city, the ISF is now a nonprofit presented by BEACHSPORT.org, the cities and chambers of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, and Torrance, and the LA County Fire Department, according to the festival's official website. Participants range in age from 8 years old to the late 80s.
What to watch
The ISF's three signature events anchor the schedule:
Charlie Saikley 6-Man Beach Volleyball Tournament: Friday, July 31, and Saturday, August 1, south side of the Manhattan Beach Pier. The tournament draws more than 50,000 spectators each year. A Junior 6-Man tournament for ages 14 and under follows on Sunday, August 2. Winning junior teams receive ISF T-shirts and medals.
LA County Lifeguard Championships (Judge Taplin Relay): Saturday, August 1, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Hermosa Beach, with the relay starting around 9 p.m. The event includes rescue demonstrations, Junior Lifeguard relays, and the Chris Linkletter Women's Surf Relay.
Dwight Crum Pier-to-Pier Swim: Sunday, August 2, at 9 a.m. from the Hermosa Beach Pier (1101 Strand). Swimmers cover a two-mile course, rounding the Hermosa pier and finishing at Manhattan Beach. In 2023, 1,350 swimmers completed the race.
Other competitions include the International Bodysurfing Championship (Saturday, August 1, through Sunday, August 2, north side of the Manhattan Beach Pier), the ISF Surfing Championships on Sunday, August 2, the Dick Fitzgerald Two-Mile Beach Run in Hermosa Beach, and the Velzy-Stevens Pier-to-Pier Paddleboard Championship from Manhattan Beach Pier south to Hermosa Beach Pier.
Road closures and parking
Residents heading to the Manhattan Beach Pier area should plan ahead. According to the City of Manhattan Beach, Manhattan Beach Boulevard from Ocean Drive to the pier closes Thursday, July 30, at 6 a.m. through Monday, August 3, at 10 a.m. Lower Pier parking lots close during the same window. Upper Pier lots and Ocean Drive from 11th Street to 12th Street close Friday, July 31, through Sunday, August 2.
The city encourages biking, taxis, or rideshare as alternatives to driving.
Surf conditions
As we reported July 28, a high surf advisory is in effect for South Bay beaches through Saturday. Spectators and competitors should check conditions before heading out.
How to participate
Registration for all competitions is open at surffestival.org. Spectators need no tickets or registration.
Upcoming community events
- Wednesday, July 29 – Sunday, August 2: 63rd International Surf Festival, Manhattan Beach/Hermosa Beach/Redondo Beach (free to watch)
- Friday, July 31 – Saturday, August 1: Charlie Saikley 6-Man Volleyball, south side Manhattan Beach Pier
- Sunday, August 2: Dwight Crum Pier-to-Pier Swim, 9 a.m., Hermosa Beach Pier
